Designed by Artistic Director Emeritus Judith Jamison for Mattel, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Barbie celebrates the 50th anniversary of the AAADT. #AAADT #AlvinaileyAmericanDanceTheaterBarbie #Judithjamison
Category Archives: modern black dolls
So in Style Barbie Baby Phat Collection
So in Style dolls are an extension of the Barbie line.
So In Style Dolls (First Wave)
Name: So in Style (S.I.S.) Two-Doll Themed Sets Made by and When: Mattel, 2009 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 and 5 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: All dolls have rooted hair with painted eyes and smiling mouths. Grace and Courtney have brunette ponytails with bangs. Kara has auburn hair styled in two side ponytails; Kianna is blonde with twoContinue reading “So In Style Dolls (First Wave)”
AKA Centennial Barbie
Name: AKA Centennial Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 2008 (designed by Stacey McBride-Irby) Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Brown rooted upswept hairdo with sideswept bangs/brown painted eyes/closed mouth Clothes: Sleeveless salmon pink gown has gold trim crisscrossing the bodice and around the waist. Apple green diamond-shaped fabric centers the bodice and flows downContinue reading “AKA Centennial Barbie”
Byron Lars In the Limelight Barbie
Photographs courtesy of Telisa Spain Name: In the Limelight Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 1997 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black rooted hair styled up in an array of curls, brown painted eyes, closed smiling mouth Clothes: This doll wears a velvety gown of rich chocolate brown that is boldly accentedContinue reading “Byron Lars In the Limelight Barbie”
Shani and Friends Video
Please enjoy The Marvelous World of Shani: Mattel’s First “Ethnically Correct” Black Dolls video below. Tidbits and detailed history of the Shani line and other Black friends of Barbie throughout the past four decades are discussed and illustrated. _________ Your comments are valued. Donations aid the initiative to preserve Black-doll history. If you subscribe to DeeBeeGee’sContinue reading “Shani and Friends Video”
Shani and Friends Soul Train Dolls
Name: Soul Train Shani, Asha, Jamal, and Nichelle Made by and When: Mattel, 1993 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches (Shani, Asha, and Nichelle) and 12 inches (Jamal) Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Shani and Nichelle have rooted long black hair; Asha has auburn rooted hair. Jamal has sculpted black hair/painted brown eyes/smiling mouths with painted appearance of teeth. Clothes:Continue reading “Shani and Friends Soul Train Dolls”
Shani and Her Friends
Name: Shani and Her Friends Asha, Nichelle, and Jamal Made by and When: Mattel, 1991 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches (Shani, Asha, and Nichelle); 12 inches (Jamal) Hair/Eyes/Mouth: All three have rooted, wavy textured hair with bangs. Shani and Nichelle have long black hair; Asha has long auburn hair. Their large eyes are painted brown.Continue reading “Shani and Her Friends”
Sunsational Malibu Christie
Name: Sunsational Malibu Christie Made by and When: Mattel, 1981 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Brown below-the-shoulder-length curly hair, brown-painted eyes, closed mouth Clothes/Accessories: Yellow one-piece, orange-trimmed bathing suit; mirrored aviator sunglasses, and a beach towel Other: An illustration of a doll with the Steffie head sculpt is on the lower bottomContinue reading “Sunsational Malibu Christie”
Sunsational Malibu Ken
Name: Sunsational Malibu Ken (1st Black Ken) Made by and When: Mattel, 1981 Material: Vinyl Height: 12 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black-rooted Afro, brown-painted eyes, closed mouth Clothes/Accessories: Yellow swim trunks with orange trim, mirrored aviator sunglasses, and a beach towel Other: Often referred to as “Afro Ken” because it is the first Black KenContinue reading “Sunsational Malibu Ken”
DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum™ 